Switch-operator



0. MAKI AND K. ARLIN. SWl-TCH 0PERATOR- APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1921.

1,392,188, PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

one main AND KARL 'A-RLIN, or PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWITCH-OPERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

Application filed April 7, 1921. Serial No. 459,460.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, O'r'ro MAKI and KARL ARLIN, citizens of the Republic of Finland, residing at Palmer, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch operating mechanisms and more particularly to that form of operators carried below the front platform of a car for instance, and adapted to be operated by the foot of the motorman to open or close a switch.

The primary object of the invention resides in the construction of a novel and improved switch operator adapted to be carried below the front car platform to be actuated by a foot pedal. whereby a switch operating extension may be actuated to the left or right to open and close a switch to permitthe car to travel in its proper direction. I

Another and very important object of the invention resides in the provision of a spring controlled foot operated device capable of being installed on various types of railway rolling stock and which is preferably provided with a foot pedal to selectively depress the right'or left hand switch operator whereby the enlarged extension carried by the switch may be thrown to the left or right as desired and thus direct the travel of the car thereby.

A continued and further object of the invention resides in the novel and improved construction of a switch operator which is extremely simple, consisting of comparatively few parts therefor inexpensive to manufacture, highly efficient and positive in operation, strong and durable, wherein the parts are so arranged as not to get out of order, and otherwise capable of being manufactured at an extremely low cost whereby its commercial possibilities are greatly enhanced.

With these objects in view and others which will be manifest and suggested as the purpose and nature of our invention are revealed in the following specification and drawing wherein we have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, V

Figure 1 is a side view showing the operator as mounted beneath the front platform of a car.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the foot pedals and switch operating shoes sup ported beneath the platform and between the operating mechanism now to be described in detail.

The switch operating mechanism pri marily comprises a pair of substantially L-shaped, fiat metallic levers, 8, 9, preferably pivotally connected as at 10 within and in the forward portion of the casing 7, said levers being held in their normally raised inoperative position by flat, leaf springs 11 wlnchare secured as at 12 to the flooring 13 of the casing as clearly shown'by Fig.1 of the drawing.

. Each of the levers 8, 9, are provided with a vertical spindle 14 extending through a slot or recess 15 in the floor 6 and carry flat, knurled foot pedals 16 whereby the respec tive levers 8, 9, may be depressed to actuate the switch extension subsequently to be referred to. The vertical arm 17 of each lever above referred to is adapted to move freely through a slot or recess 18 formed in the bottom 13 and nearthe rear thereof, said arm 17 supporting the Hat, horizontal shoes 18 each of which are provided with an inwardly curved cam plate 19 for engaging the diamond shaped extension 20 on the end of the pivotally connecting arm 21.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the arm 21 which is pivoted as at 22 operates the lever 23 and link 24 whereby the switch 25 may be' actuated to the left or right and thus direct the travel of the m..- chine in the desired direction. Of course, the switch operating mechanism is arranged below the front platform and between the main track 26 so that the same will positively engage the diamond shaped extension 20 to operate the switch.

' In the form of the invention shown by Fig. 4, wherein the switch 27 is arranged for operation to control the direction of travel to the. left or right, the'same principle and op eration is involved as above described, the switch 27 as well as the switch 25 operating in suitable fish plates (not shown) when the same is actuated by the movement of the right or left hand levers 8, 9,. when the re spective shoe 18, shown in dotted lines, engages the diamond shaped extension 20 to the left or right as shown. In other words, the operation of the switch may be contI'OllGCl fIOill a position on the front platform of a car by depressing the right or left hand lever, and when the operator removes his foot from the pedal, the said levers will return to their normal, inoperative position as will be apparent.

stricted to the precise elements shown'ex'cept' in so far as such limitations are specified in. the subject matter beingclaimed;

Having shown and described our invention, what we now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the U. Spiel 1. A switch operatingmechanism comprising a pair of bent levers adapted to be pivotally connected beneath the front platform of a car, each of said levers having a vertical arm extending below the platform and supporting a swltch point operating shoe'at itstermi-nalfa-footpedal for depressing said shoe to its operative position and resilient means for maintaining said shoes 1nthe1r raised, normally inoperative position.

2. A switch operating mechanism comprising a pair of bent levers adapted to be pivotally connected within aca sing beneath the front platform of a car, each of said levers having avertical arm extending below the casing and supporting a switch point operating shoe at its terminal, said shoe being provided with a cam surface for engaging a switch arini extension, a foot pedal for depressing each of said levers and resilient springs "for maintaining said levers and shoes in theirraised, normally inoperative position. i

3'. A switch: operating mechanism comprising a pair of substantially L-shaped levers pivotally connected at one end Within a casing beneath the front platformof a car, each of said levers having'a'vertical arm extending through and below thefcasing and supportinga horizontal switch point operating shoe'at its lower-terminnal positioned between the tracks, said. shoes being provided with inner cam surfaces for engaging an enlarged, switch'arm extension between the tracks, a foot pedal for depressing each of said leversQand reslllent means engaging the- L-sliaped levers for maintaining theshoes 1n thBlITELISGCl, normally inoperative position. 7 r

In testimony whereof We aiiix our signatures heretow f r x OTTO MAKI, KARL ARLIN, 

